Eggplant Parmigiana

Alex has two secrets for stellar eggplant Parmesan. First, if you have time, salt the eggplant rounds to remove excess moisture and temper any bitter flavor. Second, take the time to make a simple homemade tomato sauce.

Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions

Amp up this childhood classic by combining sweet caramelized onions with aged cheddar cheese. Griddle the sandwich in a skillet until golden brown and crusty, and serve it with a tangy bowl of tomato soup.

Pasta al Forno

Pasta al forno translates simply to "oven-baked pasta," but the ingredients included are as varied as the imaginations of their recipe creators. This dish is satisfyingly salty thanks to olives and sun-dried tomatoes lurking beneath the thick mozzarella topping.

Melanzane Alla Parmigiana

Debi and Gabriele's version of eggplant Parmesan layers thin slices of fried eggplant with homemade red sauce, mounds of mozzarella and fresh basil. This restaurant favorite is even better at home, baked until bubbly.

Crab Cake Mac and Cheese

This hybrid of two classics uses nutty Gruyere cheese alongside lump crabmeat. But the real kicker is the seafood seasoning, worked into the cheese sauce and sprinkled generously on top of the individual crocks alongside a panko breadcrumb topping.